Horse shoe questions

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Getting 100 horse shoes this weekend.  I was wondering for those here that do the art thing do u usually clean them up and if so how?  Do customers seems to prefer items shiny or rustic. And last but no least anyone on here use etsy and if so here w do u like the site
Reply:newbe,I do this all the time.  Cheapest, simplest and safest is a vinegar soak.  I do about 20-30 at a time.  First, I clean out the grooves and knock out any nails.  Then I do a rough wire brushing to get most of the loose rust off.  I then put the shoes in a 5 gal plastic bucket, cover the shoes with regular white vinegar and let them soak for a couple of days, stirring a few times.  After a good soak, I take them out, dry them off then buff the rest of the rust off with a bench grinder wire wheel.  Takes about 3-4 minutes per shoe to buff them to bright steel.  When you take them out of the vinegar they have a black, rust residue that's pretty messy, and it looks like no rust was removed.  I has!  It's pretty messy, so I use gloves and a leather apron.The picture below is part of a windchime.  The shoes were badly rusted, but buffed out nicely.  I sprayed with Krylon clear, but don't know how long it will last in the elements.Some folks use diluted muriatic/hydrocloric acid, but it's more difficult to work with, and it's more expensive.  Just dump out the vinegar when you're finished...not good to do that with muriatic depending on where you dispose of it.Last edited by shortfuse; 06-04-2015 at 01:37 PM.
Reply:Thanks for the info do you think all the wire brush stuff could be done with a drill or angle grinder with a wire brush on it?
Reply:I do horse art with new and old. As for the old or recycled shoes. I soak them in white vinegar for a couple of days. That loosens up the rust and whatever is in the nail holes and grove. Sometimes the nail holes need to be center punched to get the hard stuff out. I have a wire wheel on a bench grinder that works well , a die grinder with wire wheel , and a basic 4 1/2'' grinder with wire wheel. Just make sure the wire wheel you choose is **** RATED FOR THE TOOL RPM .****As for new and old usage, it depends. My recycled ones are difficult to match up , I might have two that are close. Some projects are ok using recycled ones like for a pumpkin or a snowman. My bottle holders are done using new. I chose new because I could buy the sizes I want instead of trying to use recycled. My posted pictures must have been deleted from the horseshoe thread. I'll try and find them and post later.
Reply:Bd1 what do new shoes run and where's best place to get them?
Reply:You could use either, but if I had my choice I'd go with the drill.  Wire brushes on angle grinders are more dangerous.  Put a 4" brush on your drill and have at it.  The reason I use the bench grinder is that it removes the rust better, but try whatever works best for you.  Using a hand wire brush is a waste of time, in my experience.
Reply:Tractor Supply is where I get new if I need them.  Usually about $2.00 - $2.50 each, depending on size.  If there is a farrier's supply near you, check with them.bd1, sorry for jumping in there...just noticed he addressed the question to you.
Reply:Thanks again I have a bench grinder but I use both sides.  One for tungsten and one to grind.  If I enjoy this I will invest in a smaller one w wire brush
Reply:I just use an OLD Craftsman 1/4 HP outside under a shed.  If a shoe grabs, the 1/4 HP is not too big.  Plus all the crap stays outside.
Reply:Originally Posted by newbe1977Bd1 what do new shoes run and where's best place to get them?
Reply:Originally Posted by shortfuseTractor Supply is where I get new if I need them.  Usually about $2.00 - $2.50 each, depending on size.  If there is a farrier's supply near you, check with them.bd1, sorry for jumping in there...just noticed he addressed the question to you.
Reply:I have a farrier store close by I always thought they would cost more and because I have given everything I ever made away I have to keep costs down.  10 bucks ain't bad for a smaller project
Reply:I use a muriatic acid and water soak, cleans them up nice. Easier to weld too. Wire wheel on an angle grinder is fast and easy.